BOLS, LOUIS JEAN, Captain, was born 23 November 1867, son of L J Bols, late Consul-General, Belgian Diplomatic Service, and of Brussels, and Mary Wilhelmina Bols. He was educated at Lancing College. He obtained his first commission in the Devonshire Regiment 5 February 1887, and became Lieutenant 22 September 1889; served in Burma, 1891-92; during operations in Kachin Hills, and received the Medal with clasp. He accompanied the Chitral Relief Force, 1895. He was promoted Captain 18 January 1897; became Adjutant 17 February 1899. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902; was present, at the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso; during operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; during operations on Tugela Heights 14 to 27 February 1900, and action at Pieter's Hill; during operations in Natal, March to June, 1900, including action at Laing's Nek; taking part in the operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900, to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned three times in Despatches [L G, 8 February 1901 (Sir R H Buller, 30 March and 9 November 1900); L G, 10 September 1901]; awarded the Queen's Medal and five clasps; the King's Medal and two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Louis Jean Bols, Captain, Devonshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 17 December 1901, and the Warrant sent 24 January 1902. He was promoted Major 2 October 1906; was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel, 1912, and became Lieutenant Colonel 19 February 1914, and (Temporary) Brigadier General 24 February 1915; became GSO, 2nd Grade, 1912-14. He again saw active service in the European War, as Lieutenant Colonel, Dorsetshire Regiment (1914); received the Brevet of Colonel 3 June 1915. He was mentioned three times in Despatches, 1915; created a CB in 1915, and Commander of the Legion of Honour and St Vladimir with Swords. He became General Allenby's Chief Staff Officer in 1915, and was given a Division in 1917. He was also promoted Major General 1 January 1917. General Allenby said in his Despatch [London Gazette, 25 January 1918] that Major General L J Bols had "done brilliant work, and was a General Staff Officer of the first rank". He was created a KCMG [London Gazette, 1 January 1917]: "For valuable services culminating in the capture of Jerusalem", and was created a KCB, 1919. Sir Louis Bols married, in 1897, Augusta Blanche, second daughter of Captain Walter Cecil Strickland, of The Rise, Dawlish, Devon, and they had two sons.
KCB (m), KCMG, DSO, IGS 1854 (1) Burma 1889-92 (Lt, 2 Devons), QSA (5) T-H OFS RofL Trans L-N (Capt & Adj Devon Regt), KSA (2) (Capt & Adj Devon Regt), 1914 Star and Bar (Lt Col Dorset Regt), BWM, Victory Medal with MID (Maj-Gen), Order of the Nile (Egypt) Grand Officer, Legion d'Honneur (France) 3rd Class, Order of the Redeemer (Greece) 2nd Class, Order of Al Nahda (Hejaz) 2nd Class, Order of the Rising Sun (Japan) 2nd Class, Order of St Vladimir (Russia) 4th Class with swords. Spink Mar 1994 est £5500-6000.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book)